Pre-departure Guide for Exchange Students

Preparation for Traveling

Certificate of Eligibility

Foreign nationals will need to obtain a Japanese visa unless you are exempted from it. Please refer to
the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan's Web page.To apply for a visa, the applicant must apply in person to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate in his/her country.

When applying for a visa, it is strongly recommended for you to obtain a Certificate of Eligibility beforehand. The Certificate of Eligibility is issued by a regional Immigration Bureau in Japan, and it has the advantage of reducing the time required to obtain a visa and complete immigration procedures.

International Center of OIT can act as a proxy for the application procedure to obtain the certificate. It usually takes approximately one month for the certificate to be issued after application. Please also note that the certificate will expire three months after the date of issue.

As a first step, you must contact a host professor or International Center of OIT and a Japanese Embassy or Consulate in your country to clarify which status you should have in Japan and which documents you will need when applying for a visa.

Flow of Obtaining the Certificate of Eligibility and Visa

Ask your host professor or International Center to apply for your certificate of eligibility.

You will receive application forms from OIT by e-mail (approx. 2-3 months before entering into Japan).

(About 1 month later, OIT will receive the certificate of eligibility from the Immigration Bureau. Then, OIT will send it to you ASAP.)

Go to the Japanese Embassy/Consulate in your country with your certificate of eligibility to obtain your visa.

A visa will be issued (approx. a few days to 1 week later)

Visa Applications

After the Certificate of Eligibility has been granted, the student or the trainee must apply in person to a Japanese Embassy or Consulate in his/her country to obtain the visa. The necessary documents are listed below:

A valid passport

2 ID photos (4.5cm X 4.5cm taken within the last 3 months)

Visa Application Form

Certificate of Eligibility

Note: The Japanese Embassy or Consulate may ask you other documents to be submitted according to the applicant's nationality, so please check with the Japanese Embassy or Consulate beforehand.

Landing in Japan

Certificate of Eligibility will be exchanged with "Residence Card" upon arrival at Kansai Airport. Residence Card is required for the resident registration at the Joto Ward office within 2 weeks after arrival in Japan.

Since July 9, 2012, it became possible for a foreign national whose status of residence is "Student" to obtain "permission to engage in an activity other than that permitted under the status of residence previously granted" at the port of entry. OIT, however, does not allow exchange students or trainees to obtain the permit and work during their stay in Japan.

Packing Your Baggage

Check the baggage dimensions and weights restriction of your flight.

Bring your clothing according to the climate in Osaka.

You can buy most of things you need in Japan as there are supermarkets, convenience stores, drug stores located within walking distance of the International House. But, it is recommended that you bring familiar medications from your country.

Monthly Weather Averages in Osaka

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Max Temp (°C)

9.5

10.2

13.7

19.9

24.5

27.8

31.6

33.4

29.3

23.3

17.6

12.3

21.1

Min Temp (°C)

2.8

2.9

5.6

10.7

15.6

20.0

24.3

25.4

21.7

15.5

9.9

5.1

13.3

Rainfall (mm)

45.4

61.7

104.2

103.8

145.5

184.5

157.0

90.9

160.7

112.3

69.3

43.8

1279.0

Humidity (%)

65

60

60

60

65

70

70

70

70

65

65

65

65

Living in Osaka

Dormitory

It is required for all exchange students and trainees, who study in OIT for less than one year, to live in the dormitory, International House of Josho Gakuen. Many of international students in OIT also choose to live there because it is the most convenient way to jumpstart a new life in Japan. It is fully furnished and no deposit required. Onsite residence managers support students and trainees from abroad. It is conveniently located near Downtown and 3 Km from Omiya Campus.

International House of Josho Gakuen

From KIX to International House:

The curfew is 9:00 PM, so arrange your itinerary to arrive at Kansai International Airport (KIX) by 6:30 PM, allowing about 2.5 hours reaching the International House from the airport. There are two ways to access from KIX to International House: